Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY

 

Universal View Camera Variation 1

 

Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, May 1891, p. 2

 

 

 

5 x 8
This camera was advertised on eBay with few photos as a 4x5 size, so I was surprised to find a 5x8 when it arrived, so these photos are some you would have never seen.  I would have liked to see that 4x5, though.
 1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-a-1500.jpg
1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-b-750.jpg1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-c-750.jpg
1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-d-750.jpg1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-e-750.jpg
1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-f-1500.jpg

Bottom
1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
 1204.Rochester.Optical.Co.-Universal.Var.1-5x8-top-1500.jpg

 

 

 

5 x 7"
This camera is pretty beat, and I was going to use it for parts, but then bought a 5x7 Variation 2 and couldn't miss the opportunity to photograph the two 5x7 variations side by side. 1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-a-1500.jpg
1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-b-750.jpg1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-c-750.jpg
1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-d-750.jpg1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-e-750.jpg
1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-f-1500.jpg

Bottom
1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
 1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-top-1500.jpg

Label, celluloid, lower front standard
1438.roch.opt.co.-universal.view.var.1-5x7-label.lower.front.std-1500.jpg

 

 

 

 

6 ½ x 8 ½
 077.roc.universal-6x8-a-1700.jpg
077.roc.universal-6x8-b-750.jpg077.roc.universal-6x8-c-750.jpg
077.roc.universal-6x8-d-750.jpg077.roc.universal-6x8-e-750.jpg


Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1890-1892
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (gears internal to base); single or double swing; three-piece lens board; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; mahogany bed; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 3 ½x4 ½; 4x5; 4 ½x6 ½; 5x7; 5x8; 6 ½x8 ½; 8x10; 10x12; 11x14; 14x17; 17x20
Notes: This is another one of R.O.C.'s extensive array of English compact style cameras; w/ two sizes of canvas cases available, plate-holder, tripod.   Variation 1 has a smaller rearmost metal piece in the hinge than Variation 2, which appears in engravings from the 1893 catalog and later.  The reference below to the Cummins logo that includes a Universal is assumed to have been continued even though the model was discontinued.

References:
Photographic Materials 1889, James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), 1889, pp. 59-60
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, June 1890, p. 2-3
Photographic Materials Illustrated, John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, PA, c.1890, p.2
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, May 1891, p. 2-3
Photographic Material, Catalogue O & P, James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1891, p. 45-46
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1892, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1891, ads p. 70 (ROC ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1892, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1891, ads p. 103 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1893, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1892, ads p. 103 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad, p. 107)
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin Vol. VII 1895,E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1894, ads p. 74 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1896, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1895, ads p. 104 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), May 1897, p. 4-5
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol X, 1897, E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., (New York, NY), 1897, ads p. 23 (in a logo for Cummins Photo Stock Co., not advertised for sale)


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